“My paintings have the rising forms of the vertical necessity of life dominating the horizon. For in such a land a man must stand upright, if he would live. And so born and became intrinsic this elemental characteristic of my life and work.” – Clyfford Still
Besotted, and in awe of the man and his body of work.
May 20, 2017 at 4:22 pm
I have never been to that museum even though I live just 15 miles from it.
May 20, 2017 at 5:18 pm
In person Mmm M they are nothing short of breathtaking. The colors are more vibrant than here – I wasn’t using a flash – and had I know that I could take pictures I would have brought my good camera. He’s quite playful with color, bits and pieces of subtle colors peaking through, a mustard line, a bit of red. He’ll use a particular palette, the same rich indigo/electric blue and a lovely almost edible plum and Chrome yellow…he’ll use them differently in a group of paintings and then suddenly he’ll break free and introduce some wild green – where did that come from and it will stop you in your tracks.
The canvases, most of them, are massive and there are benches in front of many of them in which to sit and disappear into the paintings. The walls are grey concrete-like, rather perfect for this art and artist and the benches are covered in grey mottled felt. The paintings are textural and beg to be touched…but I behaved myself.
I stood there trying to figure out how he laid down the color, in what order. I had wanted to include more photos but G+ wouldn’t let me. There was a display of things that had been found tucked in between the pages of his hard copy books – how can we not love that? He loved music and poetry and literature and science…rather a Renaissance fellow and I loved his quotes about his work.
It has been snowing in Denver and the sky last night at the exhibition was low and foggy and cloudy. The sun came up this morning shining on the snow covered Rockies and all this vibrant color and the setting of Denver…how perfect it is for the stillness of Clyfford Still.
I’m so glad you like it. Thank you for stopping by.
May 20, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Jason ON! You must get your bum down here. It’s really quite special. Part of the whole Denver Art Museum group of buildings but not easy to spot because the signage is small. They rotate the paintings so when you come it might be different. The thing is that it’s concise and manageable and the space is serene and really lends itself to taking in the paintings. I’m visiting, so I’m not sure what the crowds are like. It’s cold…as you know…so perhaps in Summer there are a lot more people. Come!